Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
